Former Rugby League stars Danny Sculthorpe and Phil Veivers visited Hopwood Hall College to raise awareness about mental health.

The former players, who have played at some of the biggest clubs in rugby league, held sessions over the course of two days with sports students at the college with the ‘State of Mind’ charity.

The charity’s aim is to raise awareness about recognising issues surrounding mental health, how best to cope if you or someone else is dealing with depression and how to spot signs of depression in yourself or others.

Danny Sculthorpe, who played for Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants among other clubs, described his appreciation for the students’ engagement with their sessions.

“The students have been really involved with the sessions which is great. The stigma around mental health is often the biggest stumbling block in regards to helping people, so to see these guys being so accepting and willing to learn more is really encouraging.

“I hope these sessions can help young people understand and discuss anxiety, depression, stress and the like more openly. I think it is one of the most under-discussed topics in regards to people’s health.”

The former players openly discussed their experiences with severe depression after severe injuries during their careers and big set-backs in their personal lives. Furthermore, the duo educated students on how depression and anxiety can affect individuals in everyday life without them realising; such as in coursework or other challenges such as learning to drive, social and home life.

Ross Finnerty, a Level 3 BTEC Sport student said: “The talk was really eye opening. It was good to meet Danny and Phil and hear their stories, it was a bit humbling how open they were with us. It’s a bit scary really to see how depression doesn’t discriminate and can get hold of anyone at any time. It’s important to be self-aware and aware of the needs of your friends too.”

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To support users and ex-users of psychiatric services in the Manchester area. The organisation provides a forum for services users to have a bona fide say in planning and provision of mental health services.

Protesters in King’s Lynn fight against mental health service cuts

Protesters took to the streets of King’s Lynn to voice their anger at what they described as “continuous” cutbacks to mental health services in west Norfolk.

Mental health cuts protest

A protest march against cuts to mental health services and the Fermoy Unit at the QEH took place in King's Lynn town centre. Picture: Matthew Usher.

More than 100 campaigners marched from The Walks through the town centre before finishing outside the Majestic Cinema.

Peter Smith, former parliamentary candidate for south-west Norfolk said: “We are in the fight of our lives here.”

The protest was triggered by the Fermoy Unit, an in-patient NHS facility in Lynn for mental health, which campaigners say faces an uncertain future. The unit was briefly closed to new admissions earlier this month, but reopened last week, albeit with fewer beds.

Mr Smith said: “In my lifetime we have never had to fight like this, but what is the alternative?”

But Debbie White, director of operations for Norfolk at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said there were now no plans to axe the Fermoy Unit.

She added: “It is right that mental health services should be valued and funded on the same level as acute health services, and it is understandable people feel passionate about the Fermoy Unit remaining open.”

Labour party activist Jo Rust insisted the issue would not disappear. She said: “They have been talking about closing it for a long time. We will fight and we will not let them do that.”

Beth Anthony, 18 of Dersingham, said: “We are here to protest against the continuous cuts to the mental health service, we think it’s unacceptable. My younger brother suffers from poor mental health and has to travel to London... That is to the detriment of my family because we have to pay for him to go down by train every single month.”